Ram Confirms New Dakota For South America
Argentina-Built Pickup Won’t Be Heading To U.S.
Ram has officially confirmed that its upcoming Dakota pickup will be built in Argentina — and it’s not the truck we’ll be getting in North America. This all-new model will be exclusive to South American markets, with no plans for U.S. production or sales.
The truck will roll off the line at Stellantis’ Córdoba Assembly Plant in Argentina, a facility that already builds the Fiat Titano midsize pickup. That means the Dakota will share the plant with another regional favorite, but Ram says it will still carry its own distinct identity as part of the brand’s premium lineup in South America.
Production is set to kick off by the end of the year, with the first units arriving in Argentina before launching in Brazil in early 2026. Other South American markets will get the new truck before the second half of the year.
Ram unveiled the concept version — dubbed the “Nightfall” — during an event in São Paulo, Brazil. The design takes heavy cues from Ram’s full-size off-roaders like the RHO and HELLCAT-powered TRX, featuring a ram-air hood scoop with amber marker lights, steel bumpers, front tow hooks, a winch, skid plates, and bronze accent trim. It rides on FOX™ shocks, a lifted suspension, and 33-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires wrapped around 18-inch beadlock wheels. Aggressive fender flares, side steps with rock rails, a bed-mounted spare tire carrier, a modernized “Rambar” with LED lights, and special paint graphics round out the package.
While the Nightfall name is just for the concept, it’s a clear nod to Ram’s off-road heritage. Whether this trim level makes it to production is still unknown, but the off-road upgrades shown are expected to influence the final version and likely find their way into the Mopar accessories catalog.
For U.S. truck buyers hoping this was the Dakota’s return to American dealerships, Ram has made it clear — this is a different truck altogether. The North American version, according to our sources, will be larger, built in the States, and tailored specifically to our market.
Ram says more details on the South American Dakota will be revealed soon. Until then, it’s clear that the brand is doubling down on its reputation as the go-to pickup manufacturer in South America, with a model that blends Ram toughness, modern tech, and regional market needs.
2026 Ram Dakota Nightfall 4×4 Concept Image Gallery:
